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When to Plant Cabbage in Calhoun County, AL

Cabbage is a versatile cool-season crop that forms dense, leafy heads in green, red, or savoy varieties. It is a staple for coleslaw, sauerkraut, and many global cuisines.

Calhoun County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 440 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cabbage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cabbage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cabbage root diseases.

Calhoun County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Calhoun County

How your county's soil matches Cabbage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.4) is more acidic than Cabbage prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Calhoun County is excellent for Cabbage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Cabbage.

How to Plant Cabbage

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cabbage

4
successive plantings in your 214-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Cabbage needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,387 GDD Excellent fit

Cabbage Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, AL

Cabbage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 28

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

214 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Cabbage in Calhoun County

Direct sow Cabbage outdoors after March 31 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Calhoun County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cabbage. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Calhoun County reach 94ยฐF โ€” grow Cabbage as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Common pests for Cabbage in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent heads from splitting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cabbage in Calhoun County, AL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Cabbage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, AL?

Calhoun County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Calhoun County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.